The discussion regarding regulatory fees will come following a long-awaited vote on a May 2018 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that allowed the public to comment on proposed changes that would streamline the process for filing an FM translator interference complaint, and the remediation procedures used by the Commission to resolve such an issue.

Thanks to the Commission’s AM Radio Revitalization Initiative, the FCC has granted AM stations 1,707 construction permits for new FM translators, and almost 500 of these translators are already on the air.

“These translators are helping AM broadcasters attract more listeners and advertisers,” Pai writes. “But with this success has come an uptick in interference complaints from FM stations due to the increasing number of translators on the air. To address this problem, the FCC will vote on streamlining and expediting our current process for resolving interference complaints. Among other things, the order would establish simpler interference remediation procedures, clarify listener complaint requirements, and make it easier for translators causing interference to change channels.”

Headlining the May Open Meeting are actions designed “to advance the goal of security.” This includes a vote on an Order that would deny China Mobile USA’s application to provide telephony services in the U.S., citing national security concerns.

Adam R Jacobson is a veteran radio industry journalist and advertising industry analyst with general, multicultural and Hispanic market expertise. From 1996 to 2006 he served as an editor at Radio & Records.